Eleven killed at bar in Mexico after drunk man who was kicked out returns to fire-bomb
Suspect had been kicked out for harassing women
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Eleven people were killed when an intoxicated man returned to fire-bomb a bar in a Mexican border town, authorities said.
The suspect had earlier been kicked out of the Beer House in San Luis Río Colorado, close to the Arizona city of San Luis, for harassing women.
The blaze erupted at about 1.30am on Saturday, Mexican officials said. The victims included a 17-year-old, an American woman, and several members of a music group who had been playing in the bar, state attorney general Gustavo Rómulo Salas Chávez told reporters on Sunday.
The suspect was arrested on Saturday and is being interrogated by police.
Six people were treated in hospital for injuries sustained in the fire. Three were transferred to Arizona for treatment, and one remains in hospital, the attorney general said.
The suspect had arrived at the bar at about midnight on Saturday before being removed at about 1.20am by security staff for drunkenly harassing female patrons, Mr Salas Chávez said.
“According to versions (from) several witnesses, the person with a young, male appearance was disrespecting women in that bar and was expelled,” according to an English translation of a statement from the attorney general’s office.
Security cameras showed the suspect allegedly back-up his pickup truck to the bar entrance, took out gasoline and pour it around the entrance, the attorney general said. He then used a blowtorch to ignite the fire.
The suspect has not been identified. The alleged arson is not believed to be connected to an extortion attempt, Mr Salas Chávez said.
Footage shared by the San Luis Rio Colorado volunteer firefighter brigade shows the bar engulfed in flames as emergency responders try to tamp down the flames.
In recent years, Mexico has suffered dozens of deaths in arson attacks at entertainment facilities linked to the drug cartel wars.
In 2019, 27 people were killed in the Mexican state of Veracruz after assailants locked a nightclub doors and set fire to the building.
And in 2011, 52 people were killed when gunmen connected to the Zetas cartel set fire to a casino in the city of Monterrey.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments